LOS ANGELES -- A lawsuit soon to go to trial charges the University of California with discriminating against prospective students who attend Christian schools.

The suit, brought by an association of Christian schools, supports the conviction of many conservative Christians that there is hostility to their faith in public schools, the Chicago Tribune reported Monday.

"This is just another example of what's happening on a much larger scale," said Robert Tyler, a lawyer for the Christian schools.

The outcome of the trial in U.S. District Court could affect California's estimated 800 religious high schools and the way programs are developed and taught at religious secondary schools around the nation, the Tribune reported.

University officials denied the discrimination charges and said they have no prohibition on religious education in their admissions' policy, the Tribune said. The case is expected to go to trial before year's end.